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Directs states, MDAs to enforce 2026–2030 action plan
From Juliana Taiwo-Obalonye, Abuja
President Bola Tinubu has ordered federal agencies and state governments to intensify enforcement against child labour across the country, declaring its elimination a national development priority that must move beyond policy commitments to concrete action.
The President directed Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs) and states to fully implement the National Policy and National Action Plan for the Elimination of Child Labour, 2026–2030, warning that the consequences of child exploitation cut across education, poverty, economic growth, food security, human capital development and national security.
Tinubu spoke on Wednesday in Abuja at the National Dialogue on Advancing the Implementation of Nigeria’s National Child Labour Policy and National Action Plan (2026–2030), where he also launched the 2024 National Child Labour Survey Report.
Represented by the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), George Akume, the President said the government would strengthen labour inspection, child protection and programmes addressing poverty, unemployment, poor access to education and social exclusion.
“Every nation is judged by how well it protects its children. A child who is forced into labour instead of attending school loses more than an education. That child loses opportunities, confidence, health and the chance to fully contribute to national development.
“For this reason, the Federal Government considers the elimination of child labour not merely as a labour issue, but as a national development priority,” he said.
According to a statement by the Special Adviser to the SGF on Media and Publicity, Yomi Odunuga, Tinubu identified education as one of the strongest safeguards against child labour, citing ongoing interventions targeting out-of-school children, teacher development, skills acquisition and education data.
He said the Renewed Hope National Home-Grown School Feeding Programme was also intended to improve school attendance while tackling hunger and malnutrition among vulnerable children.
The President linked child labour to household poverty, saying programmes including NG-CARES Additional Financing and Human Capital Opportunities for Prosperity and Equity (HOPE) were aimed at improving livelihoods and reducing the economic pressures that force children to work.
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He also cited the National Plan of Action on Ending Violence Against Children in Nigeria (2024–2030), enforcement of the Child Rights Act and measures to improve security in vulnerable schools as part of the government’s child protection efforts.
Tinubu said Nigeria’s status as an Alliance 8.7 Pathfinder Country imposed an obligation to demonstrate measurable progress in eliminating child labour.
“As an Alliance 8.7 Pathfinder Country, Nigeria accepts both the responsibility and the opportunity to lead by example,” he said.
He described the 2026–2030 policy and action plan as a roadmap for translating the country’s commitments into measurable results.
Tinubu called on state governments to domesticate and implement the measures, urging the Nigeria Governors’ Forum and Nigeria Governors’ Spouses Forum to champion child protection initiatives.
He also charged employers to keep child labour out of their supply chains and called on organised labour, development partners, traditional and religious leaders, communities, parents and guardians to support enforcement.
The President subsequently launched the 2024 National Child Labour Survey Report alongside the new policy and action plan and directed relevant stakeholders to ensure their implementation.
He commended the Federal Ministry of Labour and Employment and its local and international partners for supporting the initiative.
Tinubu said the country must now move “beyond commitment to action,” stressing that Nigerian children should have access to education and protection from exploitation.
